When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Shares in large Scottish public companies were lifted in early Friday trading as the FTSE100 enjoyed a post-election surge on the back of a Conservative party majority and an SNP landslide in Scotland.

Shares in state-backed Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group – both registered in Edinburgh – were up 6.1 per cent and 6.4 per cent respectively in early Friday trading.

Meanwhile Standard Life was up 1.3 per cent, Aberdeen Asset Management was up 0.8 per cent and Alliance Trust was up 1.5 per cent.

Perth-based SSE saw its shares climb five per cent while Weir Group was up 1.1 per cent, Wood Group shares climbed 2.4 per cent and Aggreko was up 1.5 per cent.

The effect also spread to other sectors, with AG Barr shares rising 2.8 per cent in early Friday trading though shares in drinks giant Diageo – the largest of the Scotch whisky owners – struggled to gain ground, rising just 0.2 per cent.

In transport, shares in Aberdeen-based First Group were up 4.1 per cent while shares in Perth-based rival Stagecoach Group rose 5.6 per cent in early Friday trading.

In media, Edinburgh-based Johnston Press saw its shares dip 0.9 per cent in early trading, though Glasgow-based STV Group saw shares climb 1.4 per cent.

The FTSE 100 Index climbed by as much as two per cent on opening and was 134.2 points higher at 7,021.3 in Friday afternoon trading.

In the wider market shares in Tesco were up 2.5 per cent, Morrisons was up 2.3 per cent and Sainsbury's was up 3.1 per cent.

Shares in British Gas owner Centrica rose six per cent in early Friday trading after Labour's defeat dispelled the possibility of an energy price freeze and tighter regulation.

Housebuilders also performed strongly, with Persimmon up 5.6 per cent, Barratt was up 5.9 per cent and Taylor Wimpey was up 5.8 per cent.

Commenting on the result of the general election, Liz Cameron, director and chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Voters across the UK have spoken and the prime minister has been returned to Downing Street, this time with an overall majority.

“It is now vital that the business of government resumes quickly.

“We would remind all politicians that it is hard working business people across the country who have created the jobs and provided the growth that the UK has enjoyed.

“Supporting business growth, creating stable conditions and providing global confidence must be their top priorities.”

Cameron added: “Our economy remains vulnerable to external shocks, such as the continuing Greek bailout saga and a slowdown in a number of our international target markets.

“What we don’t need is extended uncertainty over our future membership of the European Union.

“This market is worth £12.9 billion to Scotland’s exporters and the European question needs to be settled quickly and decisively.

“Here in Scotland, the election has produced a very different result to the rest of the UK, but business and our economy should remain the central driver. That is our message to all Scottish MPs.”